Submarine telegraphy.



PATENTED JUNE 28, 1904.

I. KITSEE.

SUBMARINE TELEGRAPHYL APPLICATION FILED 0OT.28, 1899. RENEWED DBO. 22. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 N0 MODEL.

Inventor.

W itnesses.

ORRIS PETERS co muro-uma, wnsnma'rcn n EATENTED JUNE 28, 1904.

I. KITSEE. SUBMARINE TELEGRABHY. APPLIOATION rum) on. as, 1899. BEN-man DBO. 22, 1903.

2 SHEETS-411E151 2.

N0 MODEL.

WWW Q E IMIIFII l'l'l'l Q EQ UNITED STATES Patented June 28, 190 1.

ISIDOR IIITSEE, "OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SUBMARINE TELEGRAP HY.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 763,908, dated June 28, 1904.

Application filed October 28, 1899. Renewed December 22, 1903. Serial No. 186,239. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IsIDoR Krrsnn, of the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and which sounders or other electromagnetic decalled choking of the cable.

vices may be actuated.

It is also the object of my invention to provide the cables with instruments with the aid of which the speed with which the signals can be transmitted can practically be doubled.

The peculiarities of submarine telegraphy are such that for the usual Morse sounder or relay different instruments had to be substie tuted, of which the siphon recorder'of Lord Kelvin is one of the most ingenious types to day in use. In broad outlines the conditions which prevent the employment of the usual instrument employed in land telegraphy are as follows: First, a very low current has to be used, for the reason that the employment of heavy current is apt to rupture the insulation of the cable; second, the capacity of the cable is such that a great part of the current employed is lost in transmission; third, the great length of time necessary to clear the cable results in what is technically called the moving zero; fourth, it was found necessary to telegraph with both currents, positive and negative, on account of what is technically The transmission is therefore a slow one and twelve to fifteen (12 to 15) words per minute is the average rate of submarine telegraphy on long cables.

In my invention I have taken into consideration all these peculiarities of the submarine cable, and the instruments, as illustrated in the drawings, are devised for the purpose of overcoming all the diflicultiesenumerated.

As will be clear from a glance at the drawings, I have made use of part of the device known as the recording-siphon, because in practice it is best to use a device with the action of which persons in charge are already S is the sounder.

acquainted. This device consists, generally speaking, of a delicately-suspended coil with its core placed between two stationary magnets, and the principle of this device is that magnets will exert an influence on the coil in proportion to the current flowing in said coil, and this varying influence will move the coil either in one or the other direction, according to the direction of the flow. The action of the instrument is practically the same if the permanent magnets arer'eplaced by electromagnets in series connected to the cable and the coil replaced by free-swinging soft iron without heliXes. This was tried but for reasons best known to the persons in charge; the recorder of to-day was adopted.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view in diagram, showing one of the receiving devices. Figs. 2 and 3 are electrical diagrams, illustrating the second purpose of my invention-accelerating the speed with which signals can be transmitted A is the sending-station. B is the receiving-station. a a are the keys. 5 b are the batteries in the line C. G is the ground, H the coil, and H its core. I), h are the suspending-wires for the coil H. [b3 it are the magnets. K is the contact-arm attached to the coil H, having the projections la la. K is the contact-cup in proximity to the projections 76. J is the contact-arm secured to the frame I. t' 2" are the cords for suspending the frame I. if are the fork projections of the contact arm J. f is the projection of the contact-arm J in proximity to the contact-cup J s is a battery in line with the sounder S.

In Fig. 3, D is the revolving disk. f'ff are the brushes. 6 Z) d d are batteries. The first set of batteries that is, the batteries?) bare the real sending-batteries. The function of the batteries (Z (Z is to oppose the flow of the current of the batteries 1) 6.

Normally if no impulses are sent over the line the keys a a are open; but if one or the other of these keys is closed one or the other of the batteries cl d is shunted, and their opposing effect on the flow of the current of .the batteries Z) Z) is removed.

I will first describe the working of my device as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. As said above, I make use of part of the recording device as used to-day, but instead of providing the suspended coil with the glass tube, one end of which is to-day placed in a vessel containing ink and the other end of which is placed in proximity to a moving tape of paper, I provide the coil with a conducting-rod, one end of which is placed in a vessel containing a suitable conducting fluid such, for instance, as acidulated water-and the other end is placed between the forks of a second conducting-rod. In proximity to the movable coil H, connected to the cable and ground, respectively, a device is placed capable of moving in unison with the first-mentioned coil. This device is illustrated in the drawings as a frame I, rectangular in shape, suspended in a manner and with fibers a, alike to the manner and fibers of the first-mentioned coil. This movable device is also provided with a conducting-rod 1', one end of which is placed in a receptacle J containing a conducting fluidsuch, for instance, as diluted sulfuric acid-and the other end of whtch terminates in two prongs 7' 7', one prong of which is as to its inner surface provided with an insulating material for the pur pose, as will hereinafter be made clear, and the other prong of which is left conducting. The two cups containing the conducting fluid are also of conducting material and are connected with the interposition of adelicate relay or other sounding device S to a local battery s. It is obvious that if the curved end of the conducting-rod connected to the movable coil H is in contact with the conductingprong 7" of the rod of the frame I an electric circuit is established, which may be traced as follows: the battery .9, the electromagnetic device S, the cup with its fluid J the curved end of the rod J, the prong end 7" of said red, the curved end I: of the rod K, with its opposite curved end 7r dipping in the conducting solution contained in the conducting-cup K, connected to the other terminal of the battery s. For better identification I call the coil connected to the cable the receiving-coil or receiving device,and the frame I the relaying-coil or relaying device. WVherever, therefore, I make mention of the receiving-coil I understand under it the coil connected to the cable, and wherever I make mention of the frame I, I understand under it the device adapted to move in unison with the receiving-coil through the action of the curved end of the rod K, placed between the prongs of the rod J. Normally when no current is flowing the receiving-coil rests at zero, and the frame I is at rest at the same point. In this position of the two coils the bent end of the rod K is about midway between the prongs jj. If now a current is sent over the line-wire, inducing a movement in the receiving-coil in a direction so that the bent end will move toward and come in contact with the conductingprongy", it is evident that the circuit described above will be established and the electromagnetic device S placed in this circuit will be actuated. If now the current ceases, the movement of the coil will be in the opposite directionthat is, it will tend to regain its Zeropoint; but the rapidity with which one impulse follows the other will not allow the coil to regain entirely its original position, and the second impulse will tend to move the coil in the same direction as the first, but farther than the first. If the prongs between which the rod of this coil moves are stationary, then it may happen that the result of the different impulses will only be a slighter or stronger pressure on one or the other of the prongs. For this reason I have made the frame I in the same manner as the first coilthat is, capable of the movements of which the first coil is capable. The first impulses sent over the linewire may move the curved end 7; of the rod K toward and in contact with the prong either in a manner slight enough not to move the prong or in a manner so as to move the prong slightly. The ceasing of this impulse will if only to the minutest degree induce in the receiving-coil an opposite movement, and will therefore break the contact between the curved end 7:.- and the prong but as no force is prescut to induce any movement in the frame 1 the prong will remain in the first position. Therefore the contact will be broken till the second impulse arises. No matter, therefore, how far the zero-point moves the incoming impulse will always tend to make and will make contact between the curved rod and the prong, and the ceasing of the impulses or the incoming impulses in the opposite direction will always tend to break and will break the contact between these two points, thereby establishing or breaking the circuit containing the eleetromagnet S. I have in these figures illustrated the transmitting device as consisting of two batteries and two keys; but it is my purpose that the telegraphing shall be done only with one kind of current-that is, either with the positive or with the negative pole of the battery connected to the cable-- in contradistinction from the method of transmitting to-day, which is accomplished with the current flowing in one direction to designate a dot and the current flowing in the opposite direction to designate a dash.

I am well aware that if the transmitting of messages through submarine cable is accomplished with currents of one polarity only the current impulses so transmitted soon choke the cable and will make all further telegraphing impossible. For this reason I have provided the transmitter with a clearing device, as illustrated in Fig. 3, where after each signal impulse transmitted an opposing battery is automatically brought in action. The office of this opposing battery is to send the of Fig. 3.

may be employed.

current in the opposite direction, and thereby clear the line. The action of this battery will be more fully set forth in the description In practice the space between the two prongs should be very small, so that the arm has not to travel a long distance before encountering one or the other of the prongs.

I have illustrated the local translating clevice S as being in series in the local circuit with the battery 8; but it is obvious that any other of the well-known arrangements to lessen the sparking or the action on the fluid contained in the cups or sticking of the contacts may be substituted for this arrangement.

It is necessary to say that the successful working of the instrument depends to a large degree on the careful adjustment of the local circuit, on the degree of strength of the current, its electrolytic as well as oxidizing action, and it should be one of the duties of the person in charge of such device to carefully test every day his instrument tosee if everything is in working order.

It is obvious that the usual methods of diminishing sparking, such as to connect a highresistance magnet in shunt with the terminals,

So, also, can the electrolyte be replaced by any other suitable means.

It is obvious that instead of the device as used in the recording-siphon and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 any other device capable of performing the same function can be substituted. I have called the rectangular piece I a frameYor coil, so as to givean alike designation to alike parts of the receiving device and the relay; but it is understood that the part I may consist of any suitable member and does not need to consist of a coil of wiring, as is necessary for the receiver.

I have not illustrated in these figures or in Fig. 3 any of the necessary condensers or setting forth the method of telegraphing. I am well aware that as now practiced one set of batteries with a double key is used, and in practice this same mode of transmitting messages can and should be employed.

The device placed at the receiving-station, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, is duplicated in Fig. 3. The only difference in this duplicated device is that whereas the insulating material is placed on one of the devices on the prong j it is placed in the other device on the prong j. The transmitting-station, which in Fig. 2 is provided with two sets of batteries, is provided in Fig. 3 with four sets of batteries, of which two sets 7) b are the transmittingbatteries, and two sets (Z Z are employed to 5 send a weak current of opposite polarity over the line as soon as the flow of the current of the transmitting-battery ceases.

The transmitting-batteries are placed in opposition to the opposing batteries and should consist of a lesser. number of 'cells. In the drawings the transmitting-batteries consist each of six cells and the opposing batteries consist each of eight cells. Should, therefore, that branch of the battery-circuit which contains the transmitting battery 7), with its opposing battery (Z, be connected to the ground and the key a left open, then the flow of the current of the two batteries would be as'follows: from the transmitting-battery toward the ground at the strength of six cells in series and from the opposing battery at the strength of eight cells toward the cable. The resulting effect, therefore, would be the flow of the current equal to the strength of two cells toward the cable; but as soon as the key a is closed the opposing battery (Z is shunted or short-circuited and the whole strength of the transmitting-battery b will come into action. A current, therefore, equal to six cells in series will flow toward the ground and back through the cable. Should that branch of the battery-circuit including the sets 6 and-d be grounded, then a current equaLto two cells will flow toward the ground as long as the key a is closed. To avoid misunderstanding, I call the opposing currents the clearing and the currents from the main batteries the transmitting currents. The drum or disk D is conducting and can be set in operation by any of the well-known mechanisms such, for instance, as an electric motoror mechanical spring movement. This diskis permanently in contact through the brush f with the ground G. The periphery of this disk or drum is provided with the insulatingpieces m m. Against the peripheryof this drum are pressing the collecting-brushcsff.

The first brush is connected with the circuit containing the batteries 7) and (Z, and the'second brush is connected with'the batteries Z) and d. The disk or drum- D is set in motion. The brushes f f are set in relation to the drum in a manner so that one brush is brought in contact with the insulating-strip if the-other brush touches the conducting part of the drum, or viceversa. Through the revolving drum, therefore, these two op erations are alternately connected with the groundthat is, if the brush f is grounded the connection of the brush f with the ground is broken, and if the brush f is grounded the connection of the brushf' withgthe groundis interrupted. From this description it is obvious that as long as the drum or disk revolves and the twobrushes are in their proper positions and connected each to its batterycircuit the one or the other of the batterycircuits will be grounded; but at no time will the ground connect both batteries at one and the same time.

The device is based upon the principle of the divisions of a single current into recording pulsations; but it differs from any of such devices in'use in this manner: that no synchronism is necessary and that the transmission through each of the alternate divisions is effected by a current impulse of an alternate direction.

In practice two operators are employed, each sending through his own key a separate message. Normally if no key is depressed the revolving of the drum sends alternately clearing impulses of alternate direction over the line. 1f now the key a is depressed, the battery (Z will be shunted and the current from the battery 7) will flow at such intervals through the ground and cable as the brush 1 will come in contact with the conducting part of the revolving drum D. These impulses will actuate at the receiving-station both receiving devices in a like manner; but as the movement of both receiving devices in one and. the same direction will result in closing one local circuit only it follows that only one instrument will answer. If the operator at key a, will close his key, then impulses of opposite direction will be sent, again affecting both receiving devices at the receivingstations, but in a manner so as to close the local circuit formally left unaffected.

It is unnecessary for me to go into detail as to the rapidity with which the drum should be revolved or the number of divisions into which the conducting part should be divided, as these points will necessarily vary with the rapidity with which the impulses can be sent through the cable and will therefore depend upon the length of cable and construction of same. It is also unnecessary to give more in detail the operation of the device, as a person versed in the art will readily understand that the transmitting of two messages practically simultaneously can be accomplished with the aid of my transmitter.

As said above, my invention can be practiced either with the transmitting device as now employed, and in this case one message can be sent as now in each direction simultaneously, and the advantages of this my invention then consists herein that an electromagnetic devieeas, for instance, a sounder S may be employed in receiving a message and that the speed of the transmission therefore can be increased, or my invention may be employed with a device and arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 3, and then two messages can be sent practically simultaneously from one direction, and it is even possible to send at the practically one and the same time two messages from the opposite direction, this-practicall y quadruplexing the cable.

Having now described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In cable or long-distance telegraphy, the method of automatically shifting the Zeropoint of a relay in unison with the movement of the receiving instrument, which consists in actuating, through the movement of the re ceiving instrument, a second device not traversed by the incoming current, said second device adapted to close a local circuit containing a battery and translating device, said second device being mechanically independent of said first device and being adapted to make electrical contact with parts of said first device through the movements of said lirst device.

2. In cable or long-distance telegraphy, the method of rectifying the shifting of the zero in a receiving device, which consists in pro ducing in a mechanically-independent relaying device a movement corresponding to the movement of the receiving device, and closing through said corresponding movement a local circuit.

3. The method of receiving messages through submarine cables, which consists in inducing through the movement of the receiving device a corresponding movement in a mechanically-independent relaying d evice, and actuating through both of said movements a local circuit containing a translating device.

4. In cable or long-distanee telegraphy, the method of overcoming the shifting of the Zero, which consists in causing, through the varying movements of the receiving device, a normally mechanically and electrically independent second device to move in unison with the shifting of said zero, thereby electrically connecting with the receiving device and actuating a local circuit.

5. In cable or long-distance telegraphy, the method of overcoming the shifting of the zero which consists in causing a second and independent device adapted to actuate a local circuit, to simultaneously shift its Zero-point with the shifting of the zero-point of the receiving device.

In testimony whereof I sign my name, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 26th day of October, 1899.

' ISIDOR KITSEE.

Witnesses:

EDITH R. STILLEY, 7M. M. DEU'LSOH. 

